Danny Zhilkin will make his NHL debut against the Oilers on Thursday

The 22-year-old center was recalled Wednesday morning and the moment he found out quickly became emotional. Zhilkin was in a barbershop getting a haircut when he missed the first call from Manitoba Moose head coach Mark Morrison. When the phone rang again as he was preparing to pay, he answered and was immediately overwhelmed with emotion. The barbershop staff surrounded him in support, while his hairdresser, Arjay Policarpio, a close friend of Zhilkin, happened to capture the moment on a security camera, images they will both remember forever.

Zhilkin has been producing with the Moose in the lead-up to his call-up. He has already surpassed his previous AHL career with a high number of points (10: three goals, seven assists), which he set in 53 games last season. This year he has seven goals and seven assists for 14 points in 30 games.

Zhilkin was drafted 77th overall in the third round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, and the Moscow, Russia native will rock No. 53, the first Jet to wear the number since Brett Festerling in 2011-12.

He will center the fourth line tonight alongside Cole Koepke and Tanner Pearson. With both Zhilkin and Koepke bringing speed, it will be interesting to see if the trio can form an effective, grinding fourth line.